Punch and die setting



Nov. 6, 1945. A. c. JACKSON 2,388,546

PUNCH AND DIE SETTING Filed June 10, 1944 Patented Nov. 6, 1945 PUNCH AND DIE SETTING Arthur C. Jackson, Swarthmore, Pa., assignor to L. V. Whistler, Kenmore, N. Y.

Application June 1%, 1944, Serial N0. 539,732

7 Claims. (Cl. 164-124) This invention relates to the setting of punches and dies for piercing sheet materials of all kinds, wherein the piercings are arranged in predetermined relation to each other on and with respect to the marginal edges of the sheets.

The present invention is more particularly directed to the setting of dies and punches on the bed and the movable head respectively of a die press or die set when the cross-sectional contour of the punch and its correlated die opening are of irregular shape, or non-circular contour, or circular contour eccentric to the axis of the die block.

One object of the invention is to-provide a tool for aligning the punches with their respective die openings, with the tool in each instance being in the form of a sleeve or jig having a guide bore for slidably supporting the punch, and having a pair of true parallel faces at the opposite ends respectively of the tool, in planes disposed in true perpendicular relation to the. axis of the guide bore for the punch.

The flat parallel faces of the tool are adapted to bear respectively against the top face of the die, after the diehas been secured in position on the press bed with the top face of the die parallel to the top face of the bed, and against the under under surface of the punch retainer disposed parallel to the under surface of the press head, when the press head is lowered with respect to the press bed to an extent wherein the aligning tool will be gripped firmly between the under surface of the press head or punch retainer, and the upper face of the die, whereby the engaging flat surfaces will assume full flat contact and cause the punch to become accurately aligned with the die, prior to the securing of the punch retainer to the under side of the press head.

The present invention is particularly applicable to the setting of dies and punches in instances where a template is employed for locating the dies on the press bed, prior to aligning the punches with the dies with which the punches surface of the movable head of the press, or a flat ing to the pattern to which the piercings are be made in a sheet of material.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through sufllcient of the bed and head of a die press to illustrate the functioning of the aligning tool of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through a die showing the pilot plate in position thereon;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the die and die-retainer, with the pilot plate in position on the die;

Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view of the punch and punch-retainer; and

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the aligning sleeve.

In the accompanying drawing, a die retainer l is shown as being secured to the bed 2 of the die press, or to a supplementary plate known as a die-set which in turn would be secured to the bed of the press. A punch retainer 3 is shown as being loosely hung in a tentative position to be later drawn into contact with and to be secured to the underside of the movable head 4' of the die press, or to a die-set" which in turn wouldbe secured to the underside of the press head.

The punch-aligning tool 5 of the present invention is shown as being in its operating position and held firmly between the top surface of the die, which is mounted in the die-retainer I, and the undersurface 4a of the punch head 4, or a die set secured thereto, as the case may be.

The die-retainer I comprises the usual substan tially cylindrical boss or head In. having an axial counter-bore or die cavity 6 terminating in a flat annular base surface 1. A slug channel 8 extends downwardly and curves laterally from the base 1 of the die cavity 6 to the outside of the boss Ia of the die retainer I to receive and discharge punchings from a slug channel 9 formed in a die block l0, which blockis seated in the cavity 6, with its flat bottom surface II in firm contact with the flat base surface I of the die cavity 6.

ing bolts l3, is are provided with square or T shaped heads 20, 20 adapted to be inserted in undercut T slots 2|, 2| formed in the bed 2, or in the die-set adapted to be secured to the bed 2.

The boss or head So of the punch-retainer 3 is provided with a similar laterally extending arm 22 having an elongated slot 23 for reception of securing bolts 24, 24 having T or square heads 25, 25, for entrance into T slots 25, 26 formed in the under surface of the press head 4 or the die-set adapted to be secured to the underside of the punch head 4.

The boss 3a of the punch-retainer 3 is bored at 28 for the reception of the shank 23 of the punch 30. The shank 23 is provided with an undercut indentation forming a transverse angular surface |3| inclined with respect to the axis of the punch and adapted to be engaged by a flat end I32 of a locking screw I33 which is threaded into an angularly disposed opening in one side of the boss 21 of the punch retainer 3.

As shown in Fig. 4, the punch 30 has an irregularly shaped end 3| which, for the purpose of illustration, takes the form of a key having a round body portion 32, the axis of which is offset with respect to the axis of the shank 29, and a lateral fiat-sided extension 33 on one side of the circular portion 32. However, it will be understood that the piercing end of the punch 30 may have any desired shape or contour falling within the circle described by the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shank 29 of the punch 30.

As shown in Fig. 3, the die block I is provided with an opening 35 having a key-hole-slot shaped opening corresponding exactly with the shape of the irregular end 3| of the punch 30. The key-hole-slot shaped opening 35 includes a round portion 36, into which the round portion 32 of the punch 36 fits snugly, and a lateral extension 31, into which the lateral extension 33 of the punch 30 fits snugly. The round body portion 32 and the lateral extension 33 of the irregular end 3| of the punch 30 bear exactly the same relation to each other and to the axis of the shank 23 of the punch 30 s the round portion 36 and lateral extension 31 of the key-hole-slot 35 bear to each other and to the axis of the die block |0 which aligns with the axis of the shank 29 of the punch 30. Th punch opening 35 communicates with, or has formed as a part thereof, the slug channel 9 of the die block l0.

As shown in Fig. 2, the die block In may be temporarily provided with a pilot plate 40, having a projection 4| on one face thereof which is shaped in accordance with the shape of the irregular opening 35 in the die block l0, and which is adapted to fit accurately, without lateral play, within said irregular opening 35.

From the opposite face of the pilot plate 43 projects a pair of pilot pins 42, 42 clearly shown in Fig. 3. The pins 42 are spaced apart and, in the present instance, one of said pins is concentric to the circular portion 36 of the irregular opening 35 while the second of the pins is "disposed in the portion of the projection 4| which corresponds to the lateral extension 31 of the irregular opening 35.

As shown in Fig. 1, the setting or aligning tool of the present invention is provided with an axial bore 45 which is adapted to receive and accurately fit, without lateral play, the cy1in drlcal shank 23 of the punch 30, and to afford relative axial movement between the tool 5 and the punch 36.

The upper end of the tool 5 is provided with a cavity 46 of a depth in excess of the depth of the boss or head 3a of the punch retainer 3. The cavity 46 opens outwardly along one side of the tool 5 for accommodating the laterally extending arm 22 of the punch retainer 3.

The opposite end of the tool 5 is counterbored to provide an internal annular wall 41. This annular wall 41 is adapted to extend circumferentially around that portion of the peripheral side wall of the upper part of the cylindrical die block In which extends above the top surface of the boss or head la of the die retainer and by which the axis of the punch bore 45 in the tool 5 is brought into and maintained in axial alignment with the axis of the die block Ill. The annular wall 41, in the present instance, is disposed on the inside of an annular flange 46 formed by said counterboring at th bottom end of the tool 5 and which extends axially thereof.

It will be understood that the axis of the die cavity 6 in the boss la of the die retainer l is disposed at a true right angle with respect to the base surface 43 of the retainer and that the base surface 1 of the die cavity 6 is disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the base surface 49 of the retainer The top surface 53 of the die block I, which in operation supports the sheet to be punched, is disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the base surface H of the die block I0, consequently, with the die block In rigidly held in the cavity a and seated firmly on the base 1 thereof, and with the base surface 49 of the retainer I pulled down tightly against the flat surface 2a of the bed 2, the top surface 50 of the die block It will be disposed in a plane parallel to the fiat surface 2a of the bed 2.

The flat surface 4a of the press head 4 is at all times parallel to the fiat surface 2a of the bed 2. The flat top end surface 5| of the tool 5 and the flat bottom end surface 52 of the tool 5 are disposed in strictly parallel planes at true right angles respectively to the axis of the punch bore 45 in the tool 5, consequently, when the top surface 5| of the tool 5 is firmly pressed into contact with the fiat surface 4a of the head 4, the bottom end surface 52 of the tool 5 would be in a plane parallel to the top surface 50 of the die block I, with the axis of the punch bore 45 in the tool 5 perpendicular thereto and in alignment with the axis of the die block II).

In use, a die block l0 having an irregular opening 35 therein, is secured in the die-retainer by, the set screw I5, against relative axial or circular motion with respect thereto. One or more of the retainers with their die blocks l0 therein, are then placed on the flat surface 2a of the press bed 2 in which the 1 slots 2| are formed, with the heads 20 of the bolts I! in the T slots 2|, 2|,

and with the nuts 43, 43 loose on the bolts |9, |9,

so that the die retainers I may be shifted within a limited compass over the flat surface 20 on which it is positioned.

One of the pilot plates 40 is then placed on the sheet supporting surface 50 of each die block In, with the irregularly shaped protuberance 4| of the pilot plate 40 fitted into the irregular opening 35 in the die block I6.

A template, not shown, but which is provided nuts 21, 21 on the bolts 24, 24 are drawn down with anydesired number of small circular op ings arranged in pairs for the reception of pairs of pilot pins 42, 42, is then placed on the upper topsurfaces of the pilot plates 40. The template, as is usual in such cases, is held in a fixed position relative to the bed 2, and the die-retainers l, l, are maneuvered on the flat surface 2a of the bed 2 until the pilot pins 42, 42 associated with each and all the die blocks H) which are to be used in the perforating of a sheet to a given pattern represented by the template, are accurately positioned in the pairs of registry holes in 'the template. The nuts 43, 43 on the bolts l9, l9

are then drawn down tightly to secure all of the die retainers I, l rigidly to the bed 2. The template is then removed from the pilot plates 40, 40, and the pilot plates are then removed from the die blocks l0, leaving the die blocks rigidly secured in their respective die-retainers I, l.

The punch retainers 3, 3 with their respective punches 30, 30 rigidly secured therein, are then tentatively positioned over the respective die-retainers I, i and hung loosely from the underside of the press head 4, by the bolts 24, 24.

It will be understood that at such time the head 4 is raised to a sufficient height above the bed 2 to afford ample working clearance for effecting the hanging of the punch retainers 3, 3, as noted above.

Oneof the setting tools 5, of the present invention, is then placed in position on one of the punches 3b, with the boss 3a of the punch retainer 3 located in the cavity at of the tool '5. The head t is then lowered cautiously until the lower end surface 53 of the punch 30, bears lightly on the top surface 50 of the die block Ill, whereupon the assemblage, including the tool 5 and the punch retainer 3 with its punch 30 rigidly secured therein, is maneuvered relative to the head 4 until the irregularly shaped end iii of the punch drops into the irregularly shaped die opening 35 in the die block it.

The head 4 is then lowered until the tool 5 is gripped between the top end surface 50 of the die block ill and the under surface 4;; of the head t, with the top surface 5| of the tool 5 engaging the under surface 4a of the head 4, and with the bottom end'surface E2 of the tool 5 engaging the top surface 50 of the die.

Due to the top face 50 of .the die it and the under face 4a of the head 4 being parallel at all times, and the two end faces 5i and 52 of the tool 5 being parallel to each other, further lowering of the head 4 will cause the surfaces 4a and ti, and the surfaces til and 52 to assum fiat full contact with each other, whereby the axis of the punch -30 which is perpendicular to the surfaces 5! and 52 will be positioned in exact alignment with the die It.

Due to the difference in the depths of the cavity it in the tool 5 and the boss to of the retainer 3, a limited amount of axial relative movement is aflorded between the punch 30 and tool 5, and due to the counterbored end of the tool 5 fitting snugly around the outside of the die block in, relative alignment of the axis of the punch and the axis of the die is efiected and no binding of the irre ularly shaped end M of the punch 30 in the irregularly shaped opening 35 in the die Ill takes place, thus the punch retainer 3 with its punch 3t therein can be readily raised until the top flat surface 54 of the punch retainer 3 bears flatly against the flat under surface 4a of the head 4, with the bore 45 of the tool 5 functioning as an accurate guide for the punch 30, whereupon the tightly and secure the retainer 3 rigidly to the head 4, with the punch 30 in absolute alignment with the die I 0.

The head 4 is then raised sufilciently to permit removal of the tool 5 from the punch 30 whereupon that particular punch and die are ready for operation.

Where a plurality of punches and dies are em bodied in the pattern to be punched in a sheet, the foregoing punch setting operations are repeated for each punch-die unit individually.

In the structure shown in Fig. 5, the top end surface Bla of the tool 5a is in parallel relation to the bottom end surface 52a, with the axis of the punch bore 45a perpendicular to the planes of both of these surfaces. v

In operation, the flat base surface 54 of the punch retainer 3 is initially drawn into more or less loose contact with the flat surface 4a. of the head 4. The flat under surface 55 of the boss 3a is parallel to the base surface 543 of the punch retainer i. The tool 5a is used between the flat under surface 55 of the punch retainer 1 and the flat top surface 50 of the die it, so that, when the head t is lowered, the end surfaces 52a and 51a of'the tool 5a make flat contact respectively with the top surface 50 of the die it and the flat under surface 55 of the boss 3a of the punch retainer l, while the annular wall 41a of the tool 511 engages the peripheral wall of the die block it above the die retainer l thus the punch and die are brought into true axial alignment preparatory to tightening the nuts 21, 21 by which the punch retainer 3 is rigidly secured to the head i.

I claim:

1. A punch-setting tool comprising a sleeve having an axial bore for directly slidably supporting a punch for axial movement therein, and a pair of flat parallel relatively spaced surfaces disposed in planes at right angles to the axis of said bore at opposite ends respectively of said tool, said fiat surfaces being adapted for simultaneous engagement with a pair of flat parallel surfaces spaced apart and relatively movable perpendicularly to their respective planes in a, die press.

2. A punch-setting tool comprising a, sleeve having an axial bore for slidably supporting a punch for axial movement therein, a pair of fiat parallel relatively spaced surfaces disposed in planes at right angles to the axis of said bore at opposite ends respectively of said tool, one of said flat surfaces being adapted for engagement with a flat sheet-supporting face of a die block fixed in a die press, and the second of said flat surfaces being adapted for simultaneous engagement with a second flat surface spaced from and relatively movable perpendicularly with respect to the plane of said die face in said die press.

3. A punch-setting tool comprising a sleeve having an axial bore for slidably supporting a punch for axial movement therein, a pair of flat parallel relatively spaced surfaces disposed in planes-at right angles to the axis of said bore at opposite ends respectively of said tool, one of said flat surfaces being adapted for engagement with a fla h ppor ng face of a die block fixed in a die press, and an annular wall surrounding respect to'the planeof said die face in said die press.

4. A punch-setting tool comprising a sleeve having an axial bore for slidably supporting a punch for axial movement therein, a pair of fiat parallel relatively spaced surfaces disposed in planes at right angles to the axis or said bore at opposite ends respectively of said tool, one of said flat surfaces being adapted for engagement with a flat sheet supporting face of a die block fixed in a die press, and the second of said flat surfaces being adapted for engagement with a second flat surface spaced from and relatively movable perpendicularly with respect to the plane of said die face in said die press, and a flange on one end of said tool providing an annular wall surrounding and projecting axially beyond said one flat surface for circumferential contact with said die block below the plane of said sheet supporting face of said die block.

5. A punch-setting tool comprising a sleeve having an axial bore for slidably supporting a punch for axial movement therein, a pair of flat parallel relatively spaced surfaces disposed in planes at right angles to the axis of said bore at opposite ends respectively of said tool, said flat surfaces being adapted for engagement with a pair of flat parallel surfaces spaced and relatively movable perpendicularly to their respective planes in a die press, said sleeve having a cavity surrounding said bore at one end of said tool for a reception of a retainer for said punch, said cavity being of a depth in excess of the depth of said retainer to afford free axial movement of said retainer with said punch.

6. A punch-setting tool comprising a sleeve having an axial bore for slidably supporting a punch for axial movement therein, a pair or flat parallel surfaces at the opposite ends respectively of said tool in planes perpendicular to the axis of said bore, an annular wall concentric to said bore and projecting axially beyond the fiat surface at one end oi the tool, said tool having a cavity formed in its opposite end and extending axially into the tool from the second of said flat surfaces.

'7. A punch-setting tool comprising a, sleeve having an axial bore for slidably supporting a punch for axial movement therein, a pair of flat parallel surfaces at the opposite ends respectively of said tool in planes perpendicular to the axis of said bore, a flange on the opposite end of said bore affording an annular wall concentric to said bore and projecting axially beyond the flat surface at one end of the tool, said tool having a cavity formed in its opposite end and extending axially into the tool from the second of said flat surfaces.

ARTHUR C. JACKSON. 

